Torque Thrust spoke color

When I bought my 16" Torque Thrust II's last year, I wanted them a darker gray to give them a bit of an old school look. I just mixed black, a little at a time, with white paint until I got it about where I wanted. Then masked, scuffed, de-waxed, and sprayed. Not sure if there is a "correct" color, but perhaps. I would like to get a set of 15" PS wheels sometime, if I think I have a reasonable chance of getting decent 15" tires of the right size.

Ken

 

The short answer is the centers were Magnesium gray. I think that they were virgin metal that oxidized to the gray color. The rims were polished but the magnesium would oxidize quickly when exposed to the air. I polish the rims on my magnesium Halibrands and Torque thrusts and they re- oxidize in about 4 days from the time I polish them after about a month or so they are gray like the centers . You will have to match up some paint to the mimic the look of the oxidized magnesium color. Bob

 

Keeping magnesium clean is a work out. Don't think there is a "correct gray", as they will get darker over time. I think it would just depend on what shade of gray you like.

 

Don't believe all Torque Thrusts are real Magnesium since it oxidizes (as mentioned) so quickly and they tend to get lose (at the lug nuts) just sitting. Have a pair of real magnesium Torque Thrusts on the rear of one of my cars and two alloy ones on the front. Completely different wheels. The centers on the alloys can be tinted with a flat gray of a light coat of the Charcoal metallic interior paint in a rattle can. Its very thin and does not cover well but will likely provide the look your trying to get IMHO

 

Most of the torque thrusts you see are not Magnesium but Aluminum. A lot cheaper to make and because of that the masses opted for the look but not the price and performance (light weight and high strength). With today's modern metallurgy the Aluminum is much stronger too when compared to 60's/70's era Aluminum torque thrust wheels. I think I spent something like 35.00 a wheel new for some 15 torque thrust back in 1971. Bob